New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-14


unable to find word strong enough to express
her feelings.
"Minna, dearest, you are surely not jealous OF
me?n
"Jealousl no. indeed. I don't admire your
pocket Adonis your duodecimo LOUIS AV," salu
Minna with whitening scorn.
"1hen we won't quarrel over him, but unite
our forces against the common foe" retorted
the other with spirit. .,
1.-The common foe? What do you meanP"
just what say Minna, there is treachery
somewhere Some is playing me, playing US
a cruel trick tonight"
"Do speak out plainly, dear" said the Other
with n bitter little laugh IL am too stupid 70
guess riddles"
"Come with me, then, and will show you
something more puzzlng than any riddle" Ana
Clcmentina drew her friends hand through her
arm and led her rapidly toward the most Sc
Guided port of the garden I saw them go in this
direction" she went on eXcitedly. LOOK, Mhha'
don't YOU sec blue dress over therep"
Yes: but there are many blue dresses
here tonight"
Not like that one" whispered Clementina in
her ear: 1T is fac-simile of mine.'
Then it is not you Mr.. Brandon has been
dancing with all the evening"? replied the other
breathiessly a light suddenly breaking in on her.
mo He has Leen dancing with my double.
MY poor Clemontna: but you are"
Determined to Gnd out who has played me TINS
shameful trick she interrupted, ferccly. NO"
silence. or they will hear us. Here they come
hey are going TO sit on that seat"
Drawing the astOnished Minna after her, Mrs.
Somcrs slipped behind largo bush OF serlnga'
which efTcctually screened them from view. Little
Fitz and his fair companion sauntered Slowly
down the path and as Clcmentina had predicted,
seated themselves on a garden bench close ny.
There was an air of tender emprcssement ABOUT
the former which at struck the eager watchers
And you will give me that rose, dear MIS-.
Somers" he was saying earnestly, rs he pehV
over the small icwcllcd hand of The unknown.
Clcmcntina nearly cried aloud. OH this Is
drcadful-thc Adons was positively making love
TO her double before her very eyes. The ialr
incocnit,. laughed muscally she detached the
coveted flower from her dress and gave IL 10
the delighted Fitz
oh yes Mr.. Brandon, why should refuse
you sucb n triile? ] only ask one thing III return"
Mrs Somcrs's heart stood still. Was she
dreaming? The unknown not only wore her dress,
but spoke in her voice. ~
Il can tfusc you nothing" protested f1tz'
ardrnty. ,
"1r'n tell me why you let that silly Mrs
Desmond monopolizc you as she docs Coihe'
confde in me- you in love with her" No,
In love with her." he rcioncd, hastily. On
no: surely dearest Clcmentina you should know
better that that
Mrs. Desmond clcnchcd her hands. "Oh! the
little hypocrtc" she brcathed.
Then YOU" Chcre the unknown paused and
uloved coducttshly with her FAM nave some
feeling of-of friendship for-me" ? she finished
softly. 49,,
IL have the deepest, the most sincere affection
for Won Until tonight | failed TO realize
how much i"
And am sure shall always have n sisters
affection for YOU" interrupted the lady sehti-
mentally.
"A sisters afIectionl Ny dearest Cicmentnn
that will not satisfy me. | want the vary inst
place in your heart l wan
The listeners behind the scrlnga bush gaspcd'
How woulI this dreadful affair endE Here was
Fitz the beloved Of both, proposLg-actua'ly pro-
posing-to an cdolon, shadow, an uhKhowh
somebody wearing the shape OF one of them speak
ing in her tone aping her manner TO nicely
Dear CIemcntinao Fitz went on eagerly, u
love YOU most sincerely | admire you above all
other women"
Are you quitc-qultc sure Of that? wills
nernd the unknown lis there no one you have
"a secret liking for?"
Fitz bositatcd for n moment. His conscience
was evidently not quite clear. The lady, now
ever seemed in no way veXed, but laughed softly
as she tapped him on the arm with her ian.
There! | won't put too many questions. III
you tell me that tonight at least reign supreme
1 ask nothing more"
Fitz took her hand and pressed 1T ferventiy
TO his lips
dearest Clementina.' he whispered tendcTIy
land now beg you will let me see the lace
have becn longing TO look at all the evening"
Here the widows pecpcd eagerly through the
screen OF leaves, longing and yet fearing the
calculation Of the mystery.
One minute" said the unknown, putting her
hand 10 the mask; IL wonder If you Will unsay
your words If 49,.
"Unsay my wordsl ncverl asscverated Fitz'
passOnately.
Not even IL you have proposed toto the
wrong woman? said a clear, moclsng voice-a
voice that made the two eavcsdroppers thrilI
with mingled terror and rogc. Tie mask of the
unknown fell 10 the ground rs she stood up and
faced her astOundcd admircr.
MARY"
ayes Mr.. Brandon-Mary," she echoed, drop
ping him mocl-modcst curtscy.
"NOw-how did you get herc'' he stammered.
"Ah: quite simply; drove down in "A hanson"
laughed Mary gayly. "Comc, the play Is out, so
will explain the plot as IL seems TO puzzle you
wanted to see if Mary Grey, given all tho adj
ladies lin society enjoy, could not
hold her own with the best. So made an exact
copy Of Mrs. Somcrs's drcss-did you not See
there was q second Queen here tO-night?"
Yes: but she wore no rose in her dress and she
seemed so duh and insipid after you that
concluded"
so you made the rose"
The badge OF grace and w.t." interrupted
Fitz CALAMITY. But Mary, tell me your real
motive for playing this comedy Of errors"
IL fear it was revenge upon both OF you,'
said Mary rather seriously, and yet laughing.
" Mr. Brandon, you Lave behaved very badly 10
me. You have cOurted me, won my affections,
and all the while you have toyed and trilled
with the two widows if no such being rs
myself existed. How can / believe In your SIN
cerity after all your flirting, after all that has
uifrlt
break wonan's heart she added, some mt
For a moment Fitz was dumbfounded; but
something in her look and tone reused all the
manlness late in him. Admiration took the
place OF astonshment, and his native good
nature made him forget the vcXatious trick that
had been played on him. His better nature also
asserted itself. lie felt that although his heart
had always been bIary's his frtations with the
widows had been mere pastime, though tonight